Glow Plugs not heating

Ed H.

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Equipment
RTV 1140 CPX camo
Feb 17, 2025
4
0
1
Texas
I have a 2013 RTV 1140 CPX. The glow plugs are not heating. I ohm checked each one and tested them and they are working as advertised (my finger can testify lol). The glow lamp illuminates. I have chased wires and at my wits end. I ordered the four relays in the battery compartment just to continue trouble shooting. Starts fine.

Any help is appreciated.

Ed
 

North Idaho Wolfman

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I have a 2013 RTV 1140 CPX. The glow plugs are not heating. I ohm checked each one and tested them and they are working as advertised (my finger can testify lol). The glow lamp illuminates. I have chased wires and at my wits end. I ordered the four relays in the battery compartment just to continue trouble shooting. Starts fine.

Any help is appreciated.

Ed
You say it starts fine, so why do you think the glow plugs are not working?

I'm pretty sure the glow plugs are temp controlled on that unit, what are the temps there?
 

Ed H.

New member

Equipment
RTV 1140 CPX camo
Feb 17, 2025
4
0
1
Texas
You say it starts fine, so why do you think the glow plugs are not working?

I'm pretty sure the glow plugs are temp controlled on that unit, what are the temps there?
when it starts it is rough and I pulled a glow plug to see if it was getting hot and it was not.
 

InTheWoods

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...The glow plugs are not heating. I ohm checked each one and tested them and they are working as advertised (my finger can testify lol). ...
So, the glow plugs aren't getting power when installed in the engine?

Got a wiring diagram?
 

GreensvilleJay

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yup, with EVERYTHING 'electrical' , you NEED a good wiring diagram...and hopefully the previous owners didn't 'modify' it too badly...... :rolleyes:
 

Ed H.

New member

Equipment
RTV 1140 CPX camo
Feb 17, 2025
4
0
1
Texas
yup, with EVERYTHING 'electrical' , you NEED a good wiring diagram...and hopefully the previous owners didn't 'modify' it too badly...... :rolleyes:
looking at the diagram it is a simple as could be. Ignition glow lamp glow plug battery it doesnt show a relay or timer relay. Could a neutral switch cause it not to heat up? Thats the only other thing I IDK just shaking my head.
 

North Idaho Wolfman

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Jun 9, 2013
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Sandpoint, ID
looking at the diagram it is a simple as could be. Ignition glow lamp glow plug battery it doesnt show a relay or timer relay. Could a neutral switch cause it not to heat up? Thats the only other thing I IDK just shaking my head.
No no neutral switch involved.

That is a straight forward wiring on that model.
You will need to start at the switch and find the break in the wire that feeds the glow plugs.
 
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torch

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Looking at the diagram on manuals.lib, the glow plug indicator is in parallel to the plugs themselves. So while the indicator illumination means the fuse and ignition switch are working, it does not mean sufficient power is making it to the glow plugs.

The fact that it "starts fine" in 20°F* temperatures argues they are working, at least partially. But then, if it "starts fine", why are we having this discussion?

The 3 glow plugs themselves are in series. Using a voltmeter, check the voltage at each glow plug, starting with the first one in the series (the one getting power from the ignition switch). I don't know the exact resistances of your glow plugs, but the voltage there should be within a couple of volts of full battery voltage -- say on the order of 10 volts to ground or better. No voltage there means a broken wire between ignition switch and plugs. Low voltage means poor connection.

The voltage should drop by thirds at each subsequent plug. Measure between the first and the second plug (ie: move the meter -wire to the second plug). Now meter between the second and third plug (+ wire on second plug, - wire on third), and finally between the third plug and ground. You should see roughly your original voltage/3 in each of these steps. A significantly higher voltage means power is not going through that plug, most likely a poor connection between the plugs or an out-of-spec plug.

NOTE: significantly higher voltage to any one plug will burn out that plug prematurely. Which of course will raise the voltage to the remaining plugs and eventual failure of all.

*You don't specify °F or °C, but given you are in Texas °F is probably a safe assumption.
 
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